27th Annual CFUW Town & Country Garden Tour

Rain or Shine, The Tradition Continues

2026 marks the 27th year of the Town & Country Garden Tour, the principal fundraiser for the CFUW Belleville & District Scholarship Trust Fund. Inspired by the traditional garden tours of England, the first tours featured gardens with large open tents, where guests could sit at tables and partake of tea and cookies. But the weather is fickle, and tents do not fare well in high winds and driving rain. The inevitable collapse of a tent under such conditions spurred a solution. Today, the Garden Tour's main base is in the spacious, air-conditioned St. Thomas' Church Hall. With a full kitchen, the club volunteers prepare delicious lunches that can be eaten there or taken out for a picnic.

The Gardens

The Gardens, of course, are the main attraction. Every year, there are eight different gardens, carefully selected to appeal to a wide audience. At each garden, a CFUW hostess greets the guests and answers questions. Also on hand at each garden are the host gardeners who look forward to chatting with guests and sharing their gardening experiences. Beautiful gardens will be featured, from small compact subdivision lots to expansive Bay of Quinte shorelines. There will be something for everyone. Peonies, roses, tulip trees, hydrangeas and wisteria, coupled with landscape features including pergolas, rock gardens, butterfly houses, waterfalls, koi ponds, an historic log cabin, citrus fruit trees, bird feeders and bat houses.

About CFUW

Today, with over 6,700 women and 90 Clubs located in every province in Canada, CFUW is thriving. Founded in 1919, the industrial expansion after the First World War ushered in opportunities for women to engage in work, politics and social justice. Education in all its phases was declared to be the prime interest of the new federation. The local CFUW club was founded in 1939 with 56 charter members and soon thereafter began offering scholarships. The first scholarships were $15. Today's Scholarship Committee carries on this proud tradition. Each year, the committee interviews more than two dozen candidates, all local high school graduates going on to college or university. This year, 15 scholarships valued at over $30,000 were awarded. In addition, two scholarships were presented to distinguished students of Loyalist College.

Supporting the Tour

There are many ways to contribute to the success of this annual initiative. Come out on Tour Day as a cherished attendee. Reach out for sponsorship opportunities. Donate directly to the Scholarship Trust Fund, a registered charity. Join CFUW, and become part of a thriving group of women who share many interests and who pull together every year to help make the Town and Country Garden Tour a timeless tradition for all to enjoy.